Child Health Now!Andy Freeman - 13 Jun 2011
As I write this article Iʼm sitting in a local coffee shop in my hometown of Reading, UK. Alongside my coffee I asked for a cup of tap water. The Barista duly obliged, and even asked me if I wanted ice, all part of the service.
Water is one of those things we take for granted. We shower in it, we drink it, we cook with it, we flush the toilet with it, we even swim in it. Itʼs everywhere. Well, itʼs everywhere depending on where you live. Or to be factually correct, itʼs everywhere but itʼs not always clean.
In the developing world, water is still everywhere. Some of the largest and longest rivers in the world are in Sub Saharan Africa. But if you drink or wash in these rivers .... that might be a problem.
Thousands have lived without love, not one without water." -- W.H. Auden, poet
The UN estimates that 4 billion people (two-thirds of the worldʼs population) do not have access to safe, clean water. The World Health Organisation says that 28% of infant deaths (under 5 yrs) can be traced back to poor sanitation or unsafe water.
For two-thirds of the people of this planet, especially our children, water can be a killer. Imagine that, the glass of tap water I just ordered, a killer.
Take a rural community in a developing Africa country...
- Polluted drinking water will be a major contributor to the early death of babies.
- The community will probably only have one water source, making it susceptible to
bacteria or contamination from rubbish. - The most basic levels of sanitation (provision of water and disposal of toilet waste) will
not exist. It may be likely that raw sewerage is flowing near or through water supplies.
These water dangers result in two common diseases:
- Cholera is a water-borne disease, and you will probably have heard of it. However, Cholera is not directly a killer, someone can be infected but it is diarrhoea and the resulting dehydration that can kill, especially young children. The effect is actually largely treatable, yet often it isnʼt. Global mortality from Cholera isnʼt high, but an outbreak can spread quickly.
- Diarrhoea is a major cause of death for children globally. Provision of rehydrating liquids or salts is a low tech and easily available response to this problem. Yet for so many children, this isnʼt available.
How can we respond?
Find Out More
- Take some time to research this issue. We recommend World Visionʼs resources on water and sanitation.
- Why not write to your local/regional politician and raise your concerns with them.
- You might want to consider giving financially to help provide a clean water well for a community or challenging your church to get involved in this issue.
- Watch this video which was made by charitywater:
Sign up for action
This year 24-7 is partnering with World Vision and itʼs global Child Health Petition. Each year 8.1 million child deaths could be prevented with simple actions. We believe in the action World Vision are taking and want to be a part of it. If you live in the UK you can sign their petition alternatively visit the World Vision international website for details of ways to get involved in your country.
Drink a prayer
I reckon most of us will drink a glass of water a day. Would you join me in praying each time you pour a glass of water or fill a kettle. Pray for the victims of dirty water. Pray for a change that will mean water will become a gift and not a killer.
If you want to feedback on this story, use the comment section or email me to continue the discussion.
Acknowledging the physical realities of our planet does not mean a dismal future of endless sacrifice. In fact, acknowledging these realities is the first step in dealing with them. We can meet the resource problems of the world -- water, food, minerals, farmlands, forests, overpopulation, pollution -- if we tackle them with courage and foresight.” ~ Jimmy Carter, former US President